AfriGeneas Military Research Forum Archive

The 1922 date is correct, because I have a version of this song sung in 1922 by Henry Burr, in a very Vaudeville way, but it was originally made famous by Al Jolson. Given the 1922 date, if there's a military connection, it would have to be to WWI, and I've seen it claimed that it was, but I can't verify that. It became popular again in WW2. Too many people to list have done versions of it, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Mel Torme, Chet Baker, Bobby Darin, Lena Horne, Nancy Sinatra, Jerry Jeff Walker, Harry Connick Jr. and even Barry White. Donaldson & Kahn, the songwriters, also wrote such standards as Makin Whoopee, My Blue Heaven, Carolina in the Morning, Yes Sir That's My Baby, and I'll See You In My Dreams.